Today is the first day for deer hunting with archery equipment in Western North Carolina. Gun season starts in November. But if you’ve seen “The Hunger Games,” you know that a bow and arrow can still kill someone, or seriously injure them if you’re not careful, so hunting season requires everyone – hunters and hikers and mountain bikers and dog walkers and bird watchers – to be extra careful when out on game land.

Hunting season for archery continues through Sept. 28, then opens again Oct. 14-23.

The centuries-old hunting style continues to thrive as a sport, a skill, a family tradition and a way of getting food on the table, said Cliff Cagel, owner of Heritage Outdoors.

“The more Hollywood makes movies about archery, the more popular it gets, and people get more aware of their heritage,” said Cagel, an avid deer hunter who also teaches target practice and archery classes at his shop in Fletcher.

“It’s always been popular here, but it’s growing every year. When you see a deer with gun, the game’s over. When you see a deer with a bow, the game’s just getting started. You still have to get that animal within 30-40 yards. They don’t come up to you like on TV. In the real world, they’re not tame. You have to learn a lot about being stealthy.”

Wildlife officials say it’s hard to tell how many people in North Carolina hunt with archery equipment, either regular bow or crossbow, but it is extremely popular.

It is also more difficult than hunting with a gun, so deer harvest numbers during archery season are much lower than during muzzleloader and gun season.

As hunting season — no matter what type of equipment — gears up, officials urge safety among all users of game lands, which includes state and national forest land and some private lands.

“Archery is definitely very popular and something that people are very passionate about,” said Justin McVey, District 9 wildlife biologist for the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

“As in any hunting season we remind people about hunter safety and to use harness safety when using a tree stand. During the archery-only season, hunters are not required to wear hunter orange, but once muzzleloader season comes in, they are. It’s never a bad idea to wear bright clothing any time you’re in the woods during hunting season.”

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s Home From The Hunt safety campaign recommends some guidelines when hunting with archery equipment, including crossbows.

The safety considerations for using a crossbow, longbow or compound bow are similar to other hunting methods, said Travis Casper, state hunting education coordinator.

“As with any method of hunting, always point your crossbow, longbow, compound bow in a safe direction. Only release an arrow after positively identifying your target and what’s beyond it. Know your equipment’s capabilities and limitations.”

Home From The Hunt campaign safety tips

Never carry a bow with a notched arrow.

Keep fingers and thumb below the rail of a crossbow at all times.

Never “dry-fire” a bow (releasing without an arrow can cause sudden breakage).

When using a tree stand, all hunters should use a full body safety harness at all times; maintain three points of contact when climbing; and check belts, chains and attachment cords before use. Always use a haul line to raise and lower equipment.

Hunters are not required to wear blaze orange during archery season, but it is encouraged. Non-hunters out in the woods during hunting season would be wise to wear brightly colored clothing as well.

The only day when hunting is not allowed in WNC is on Sunday. But even on Sunday, it is allowed on some private lands, so be careful no matter when you’re out in the woods.

Learn more

Deer hunting season with archery equipment in Western North Carolina opens Monday and runs through Sept. 28, then Oct. 14-Nov. 23. Muzzleloader season is Sept. 30-Oct. 12. Gun season is Nov. 25-Dec. 14.

The commission is conducting a statewide survey for chronic wasting disease. If you would like to participate by donating a deer harvest sample, call District 9 wildlife biologist Justin McVey at 273-7980.

September 3, 2013

In anticipation of the Nov. 22 release of the sequel, “Catching Fire,” Chimney Rock will screen “The Hunger Games” this Saturday, Sept. 7, on the giant, 35-foot, outdoor screen at Chimney Rock State Park in Rutherford County.

It’s only about a 30-minute drive southeast of Asheville.

Katniss Everdeen in “The Hunger Games,” photo courtesy of Lionsgate

The gate opens at 7 p.m. for the movie on the Meadows starting at 8 p.m., presented by Ingles Markets. Fans can come early with paid park admission for afternoon movie-themed adventures offered by the Hunger Games Unofficial Fan Tours. The first in the movie trilogy was filmed at locations in Western North Carolina, including Pisgah National Forest and DuPont State Forest.

“For some of the millions of Hunger Games fans throughout the U.S., watching their favorite flick on a huge outdoor screen in Chimney Rock’s beautiful forested park could make them feel like they’re a part of the movie,” said Matt Popowski, PR & Events Manager, Chimney Rock at Chimney Rock State Park.

“Add to that the archery, costumes and likenesses of their favorite characters, and these fans will be dying to experience the film here ahead of the sequel’s release.”

Experience part of “the Games” at Chimney Rock by shooting a bow with Archery Tag foam tipped arrows, posing in movie costumes with props and getting your photo taken with likenesses of your favorite characters. These will be provided by the Hunger Games Unofficial Fan Tours for no additional charge during the afternoon on Sept. 7.

Activities require paid park admission, and then guests are welcome to stay in the park to enjoy the movie at no additional cost.

At Movie on the Meadows, watch your favorite scenes of Katniss battling for her life on a huge outdoor screen. Bring a blanket or camping chair, a flashlight and a friend to spend the evening under the stars. Concessions will be available for purchase. No alcohol is allowed in N.C. State Parks.

Attendees can get cool schwag or win gift cards in promotional giveaways from event sponsors Ingles Markets, Mast General Store, Element Advertising and Southern Outdoor Cinema, and other community partners.

Advance $9 movie parking tickets are on sale through Friday Sept. 6 only at the Lake Lure Ingles. On Saturday, parking at the gate is $12 per car. Park admission not included with event parking.

These fan tours were featured last year on NBC Today Show, Entertainment Weekly and SYFY’s Hollywood Treasures.

“We had visitors last year from 42 states and three countries,” said Tammy Hopkins co–creator of the Hunger Games Fan Tours. “We are proud of the partnerships that we developed last year with the tours and the economic impact we had on our community. We are looking forward to meeting more film fans in 2013 and sharing the beauty of our area with them.”

Hunger Games Fan Tours offers three types of tours:

Hunger Games Fan Tours – Walking Tours

Dates include: March 30, April 20, June 8, July 6, Aug. 17 and 31.

Guided walking tour of filming locations used in the film The Hunger Games. These are the locations used in DuPont State Recreational Forest (The Arena). Cost is $59 per person and includes: guides for filming locations, exploring waterfalls, Hunger Games lunch, camouflage lesson like Peeta, archery like Katniss and sling shot like Rue. Hiking required. Make reservations at www.hungergamesfantours.com. Hike begins at Hooker Falls Parking Lot in DuPont State Recreational Forest. Archery and sling shot classes will take place in downtown Brevard.

Hunger Games Fan Tours – Van Shuttle Tours

Dates: May 25 & May 26

Guided van shuttle tour of filming locations for the hit film The Hunger Games. These are the locations used in DuPont State Recreational Forest (The Arena). Cost is $89 per person and includes: guided van shuttle tour of filming locations, permits, Hunger Games lunch, camouflage lesson like Peeta, exploring waterfalls, archery like Katniss and sling shot like Rue. Make reservations at www.hungergamesfantours.com. Meet the HGFT van at the TC Arts Council at 349 S. Caldwell St. in Brevard. Archery and sling shot lessons will take place at the TC Arts Council after the guided tour.

Hunger Games Fan Tours – Weekend Adventure

Dates: June 21 –23 & July 12–14 & Aug. 2 – 4

Hunger Games Fan Tours Weekend Adventure includes: Three days and two nights lodging and all meals including a themed District 12 Dinner and a Capitol Dinner at Earthshine Discovery Center, shuttle tour of Hunger Games filming locations used in DuPont State Recreational Forest – “The Arena”, survival classes, night zip lining and a Hunger Games Simulation. Survival classes include: fire building, shelter building, archery, slingshot, and camouflage. The Weekend Adventure begins on Friday at 4 pm and ends Sunday at 3 pm. Do you have what it takes to be the winning Tribute? Cost is $449 per person all-inclusive.

For reservations, visit www.hungergamesfantours.com.

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About this blog

Karen Chavez and her dog Shelby will take you on their outdoor adventures in one of the greatest outdoor towns in America. They also want to hear about your adventures and answer your outdoor questions.
Contact Karen by email at kchavez@CITIZEN-TIMES.com.